Look at de state of Cork, like!

I see that plans are to be announced shortly for a second terminal at Dublin Airport.I wonder if the Dublin Airport Authority and Minister Cullen will have any problems there with cutting airbridges from their proposals?..I sincerely doubt it

@lexington wrote:

I thought Archiseek.com was never coming back… ]*UPDATES*[/B]

I have so many updates I can’t even remember most of them, but I’ll try!

🙂 Kilquane Ltd (Howard Holdings) have been greenlit to erect the 12m quill-like sculpture along Lapps Quay, at the entrance to the Clarion Hotel element of their new City Quarter development.

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🙂 Isle of Man-based Quality Healthcare Ltd have been granted permission for the redevelopment of the former Shankiel Hospital as a new private healthcare facility.

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🙂 Tedcastles Ltd – owners of the 7-acre docklands site near Marina Point have revealed one of their masterplans for the prime docklands development area. Although the plan revealed is a majority residential – which will require rezoning from CCC – the plan includes a number of residential blocks ranging from 3 to 8 storeys in an extensive ‘woodland/park’ style setting. The project would include a number of own-housing units also, with an extensive commercial zone and educational facility (significantly reduced in this plan in response to UCC and CIT’s desire to develop an extended campus to the west of the city – but it’s early days yet). Tedcastles who have extensive property development activities in the USA – may seek to develop the site themselves. In all, an estimated 500 to 600 residenetial units may be provided. The project would have an approximate value in excess of 250m euros – if not more. But I must remind you that this plan is not scheduled for any clear application that I am aware of, and is only 1 of 3 plans already devised by the company. I will post images of this plan later.

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🙂 Hungarian national carrier, Malev, has announced that it will begin scheduled flights between Cork and Budapest this coming April.

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Various reductions and modifications including the removal of covered canpoy between the new multi-storey car-park and terminal building – but to name a few.

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With response to mickeydocs and Thomond Park – I love Cork, I’m very proud of my adopted home, but it does have a high-opinion of itself sometimes. That said, I believe the city has been unfairly and inappropriately treated by the Government and its agencies at large, it terms of funding, development etc etc. The treatment and attitudes of CIE (Horgan’s Quay, Bus Station, Eglinton Street etc) has been 2nd rate and quite frankly insulting. The DAA is pulling petty purse-strings regarding Cork Airport. Our road funding is among the lowest, given the population, traffic volumes and longest road network in the country. Where’s the School of Music??? The list goes on. Further, I believe the rest of the country couldn’t give 2 tosses about all that half the time either – but do you know what, the Cork market is strong (if a little tricky at times) and we have ability. Cork is great for whingeing – even Cork 2005 made a big issue of the ‘whinge’ nature of Cork culture – but Cork is even greater when it gets up of its arse and does something about a situation itself. The recent rivival of the city has been in the majority spurred by Cork based private investment (OCP, OFC, Frinailla, Howard Holdings, and the many other private investment groups) – and one must recognised input from outside the city and county. Cork must carve itself its own future – that doens’t mean letting up on broken Government promises (i.e. School of Music and Horgan’s Quay) – but it does mean a proactive approach to Cork’s own future. Why should we waste the energy dropping our jaws in horror everytime Dublin gets that new MNC HQ??? We should be out there competeing, now complaining. Now, the Gov have a responsibility to ensure a proper approach to the NSS – something it has been quite lacking – the country is becoming too centralised, and the Gov need to deliever on that. A counter-balance to Dublin is needed for the country’s sake, Dubliners incl’d. Cork offers the best opportunity (as a focus) to provide this – and in my opinion, is a wonderful location – it just needs the right tweaking. I have a lot of confidence in the city – so let’s get out there and bring the city into the light it deserves, The docklands offers such a gleaming opportunity to make Cork a highly attractive, and relatively more affordable, HQ and large business destination. In economics it’s always said that a company’s greatest asset can quite often be it’s distinction, so let’s ride with that – we don’t need to go a copycat route. If Dublin wants to follow it and it works for them, so be it. To do this, Cork needs to reform it attutudes toward large development and invsetment projects. It needs to display its unique flair that always seems to be just beneath the surface and never on top – so come on, let it all out. If Cork focusses, the Gov get their act together and we keep thinking on the up – Cork will truly be able to boast about itself more so, without a shadow of a doubt to contradict it. I believe in Cork, I believe in it’s future – so let’s encourage investment in – to do this, we have to create the right accommodative environment.

Lexington, The best thing I have read in a long time, President Kennedy” not what Dublin can do for Cork, it’s what Cork can do for Cork.

What about tax breaks for the docklands? Money makes the world go round, and things happen faster.

Thanks for your words – pity about mine! Damn grammatical errors! 😀

Lex, if the Tedcastles masterplan you’ve seen is the same as the one I’ve seen then I hope they adopt something else! From memory it looked like a Russian Social Housing project (think Victoria Mills ‘boxes’, but lots of ’em!) – besides would you really wish to leave alongside a power plant?

Yeah, there’s a reason this is zoned Commercial/Office etc. Personally I know I wouldn’t like an apartment a stone’s throw away from a big brick like power station – and the ESB have no intentions of going anywhere for a long-time yet (at least that I’m aware of). But I remember you telling me about Tedcastles before – since then I’ve seen one other plan and now this. Although I like the greenspace, the residential units have a lot to be desired. Tedcastles have gone residential because, I assume, they’re playing what they would consider a safe, profit-maximizing card – but it just doesn’t sit right. In fairness to CCC, any approach by Tedcastles, is going to really put them between a rock and a hard place because they’re so anxious to see real movement in the docklands area and this represents one of the biggest solid moves so far, beyond Werdna’s Water Street and the activity around Lapps/Albert Quays (although Careys Tool Hire and IAWS are working on their own plans – commercial). Its a fabulous site spatially, and with a nice waterfront proximity – you’d think Tedcastles could put a little bit more imagination into such a large development. There’s much more scope and potential for commercial projects at this site in my opinion. Leave residential to the North Docklands (like Water Street and Horgan’s Quay – + this development could make Horgan’s Quay’s redevelopment even more questionable.)

Here are a few images of the plan below – apologises for the quality, like I said before, I will invest in a new scanner – just as soon as I get over my fear of electronic stores (Electroshopophobia) – or alternatively, when I remember. ]1.[/B]
Bird’s Eye view of the site – with CG Images marking out the development. Note ESB Marina Point to left (west). P.S. This is a big image – hence the thumbnail. Link to full images here -> http://img219.exs.cx/img219/6122/tcmp13xg.jpg

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West to East perspective, the rim of Pairc Ui Chaoimh can be seen in the background – office facilities can be seen in the foreground.

Long long ago, I promised an image of the new UCC School of Pharmacy (under advanced construction by Pierse Contracting) along College Road, designed by STW. Well, here’s a College Road perspective at long last. Notice the Bon Secours Hospital to the left (west).

Yeah, so I hear, but can you really say you’re surprised? This is more of it. CIE announced, when John Lynch came to town, that an application would be lodged this Summer and work would be completed by 2007. Now CIE and the Government say there’s no funding available – well, not for Cork. The idea apparently is to use profits from Horgan’s Quay to fund the redevelopment of Kent Station – which Dr. Lynch says won’t get started until 2007 at the very least, and will take 3 years minimum to complete – so I’m figuring, come 2011 we may hear something about Kent getting new platform tiles, but let’s not get too optimistic!

I wish we had a bi-election too – but it would probably amount to another Midelton Line promise – all bubble no squeak. Dept. of Transport say that funding is currently being reassessed for that project.

It’s all a load of ___________! (fill in the blank – and make sure to use your imagination).

But it’s true, you can be sure there won’t even be a single question mark over the DAA’s Terminal 2 airbridges.

@mickeydocs wrote:

Dublin competes against Frankfurt and London because of the tax free status enjoyed by the IFSC. Luxemburg is also a tax free destination. Do you see a pattern?

If this tax free status was extended to other cities such as Cork and Galway I am quite certain that Dublin would have serious competition internally are several investment companies looking to move to Ireland but would prefer a location outside of Dublin.

The location based tax breaks went from the IFSC in 2000, all tax free deals went in 2000 also so any company locating in Dublin pays the same rate of Corporation tax as any where else (except special tax areas such as Udaras areas)

This has had two effects, firstly many IFSC companies downsized their operations and many others relocated, such as Deutsche Bank to Kilkenny and PPFC to Wexford. Those that stayed in Dublin were either lease bound to the IFSC or migrated to Dublin 2/4 or Central Park etc. The reason they stayed was because they couldn’t get very specialised acturial, regulatory services in Manchester or Lyon let alone another Irish City such as Cork or Belfast.

@Thomond Park wrote:

The location based tax breaks went from the IFSC in 2000, all tax free deals went in 2000 also so any company locating in Dublin pays the same rate of Corporation tax as any where else (except special tax areas such as Udaras areas)

This has had two effects, firstly many IFSC companies downsized their operations and many others relocated, such as Deutsche Bank to Kilkenny and PPFC to Wexford. Those that stayed in Dublin were either lease bound to the IFSC or migrated to Dublin 2/4 or Central Park etc. The reason they stayed was because they couldn’t get very specialised acturial, regulatory services in Manchester or Lyon let alone another Irish City such as Cork or Belfast.

Specialised services have very little to do with it. Telecommunications, vpn’s/wans mean that it doesn’t matter where you are.

*UPDATES*

🙂 McCarthy Developments, despite working on an extensive residential development project at Jacob’s Island near Mahon Point, have decided to extend their Harty’s Quay development across the estuary, with 2 new blocks applied for containing 25 apartments each (50 in total). McCarthy Developments have put this down to the demand generated by Hartys Quay’s existing units and those currently under construction – by Ridge Developments.

…Dunnes Stores will anchor 2 units, food and clothing, encompassing an area total of 60,000sq ft. Easons will house a sizeable store, with mezzanine cafe; Sasha are said to be assessing a unit also. However, all the interesting names remain under wraps. Negotiations have, however, been engaged with NoName, Cummins Sports, Bagel Bar, Dublin-chain Hickeys Pharmacy and others – however, none of the aforementioned have been confirmed. I will be able to provide a better list in the coming months.

– also, Marks & Spencers may seek discussions about a possible store at an extended Mahon Point, as part of an overall expansion plan for Ireland (M&S will take over operations of Roches Stores food divisions in Galway and Blackrock, Dublin as part of this plan).

any word from O’flynns ahead of the decision… are they prepared for delays?

Brown Thomas – Cork

I was in Brown Thomas for the first time in several months recently and noticed that the store looks really worn out. I assume it’s about to get a minor “facelift” in the next few months?

It seemed to be suffering from the ravages of very very heavy after – christmas sales.

Overshadowing, out of character and height were issues raised – although the IAA were exactly objecting, rather making an observation. If any building poses an issue for approaching aircraft, surely it would be County Hall as it is right on Runway 17-35 flightpath.

People are cribbing about its scale – and its isolated nature, but the fact is, besides all that ‘Cork needs a confident statement’ lark (and there is something to be said for that too), every tall building proposed is going to be isolated if none other is given the go ahead! You have to start somewhere. Water Street (due for a new application in the coming weeks) and Eglinton Street have got the right ideas – tall buildings focussed on the docklands where they can be accommodated, protecting the city centre (as is), and maybe helping alleviate urban sprawl pressures. Furthermore, property prices in the area have risen so dramatically in anticipation of the docklands redevelopment, for issues of commercial viability, a little height is needed as an incentive and encouragement for future docklands development. The trick is to maintain the quality of design and location. So far, Cork has got lucky with Water Street and Eglinton Street, but in order to promote this standard, we need to show encouragement – I really hope the planning decision works out well for OFC.

😎 As predicted, Howard Holdings have been requested Further Info regarding their Lavitts Quay hotel and retail development.

I’m surprised at how little attention this project has received, but the new Mardyke Pedestrian Bridge has been set in place over the w/e by Fleming Construction. The 1m euro bridge spans the northern River Lee channel between the Mardyke and the Distillery Fields (which leads out onto North Mall) at it’s eastern end. The bridge is far more dynamic looking than the much hyped Shadon Bridge further down the river, and in my opinion, rather attractive. I’ll try and get pictures up soon.